Barolo, Sarmassa, 2011
An initial touch of oak on the nose settles down quickly, the palate is sheer seduction. Mouth coating dark berry flavours, strong spicy notes, dark sweet bramble and black cherry flavours, smooth but with that grip and power that the Brunate has. Sarmassa is on the same hill and has the same south exposure to the sun as Cerequio but is just over the border in the Barolo commune as opposed to La Morra. Only 800 magnums of this are produced annually. This wine is aged slightly differently to the other crus, for 24 months in 30% new oak barriques. The rest of the wines at this estate are aged in used oak barriques and larger 20 hl casks.
critic reviews
Usually a floral, lifted wine, the 2011 Barolo Sarmassa is quite intense and dark in this vintage. There is fabulous persistence, depth and pure staying power on the palate. Dark red and black stone fruits, sweet spices and leather unfurl on the glass as this sensual, exquisite Barolo shows off its personality. The 2011 Sarmassa is bold and beautiful to the core.